ROCHESTER — The Canadian-based Hynes Group owns 17 housing parks in the United States, two of which are in Rochester — Briar Ridge Estates (formerly Lilac City Estates) with 490 homes and Tara Estates with 350 homes.

On Aug. 6, the group’s general manager, Blaine Burnett visited Briar Ridge Community Room, along with local company officials, to present checks totalling $4,000 to a couple of local causes.

Explaining to Mayor TJ Jean that the Hynes Group intends to be an active part of the Rochester community, Burnett gave the floor to Briar Ridge manager Linda Vanryn.

She said that when the company heard that one of the park residents, Eric Veno, was a coach for a Babe Ruth baseball team — the Rochester Rebels — that is raising money to visit Cooperstown, NY, next year, the Hynes Group wanted to help. She presented the team mom, Danielle Veno with two checks, each for $1,000. One was from Briar Ridge and the other from Tara Estates.

Vanryn then presented Mayor TJ Jean with another two check, each for $1,000 that will go to Howie’s Field of Dreams, located in Roger Allen Park.

The mayor, thanking the company for its generosity, explained that Howie’s Field of Dreams is a facility that is specially designed to allow youngsters with physical or mental handicaps to play Buddy Ball.

Also attending the check presentations were Ward 3 City Councilor Peter Lachapelle and School Board member Karen Stokes, who has a son on the Rebels team.